Public trust in social networks wavers

With Facebook coming under fire for its new privacy policies, many consumers are beginning to distrust social media networks.

This sentiment was echoed in a recent survey conducted by Vision Critical, says AdWeek. According to the survey, only 16 percent of the respondents viewed social networks as very or completely probably don't need quotations trustworthy, while 49 percent thought they were not trustworthy.

In addition to that, privacy is a big issue for many social network users. Many users worry that social network sites are selling their information to advertisers and a majority are concerned with the confidentiality of their personal information.

Despite that, many consumers still feel social networks are good places for brands to reach out to consumers. Among the 18- to 34-year-old respondents, 28 percent said they purchased products because of something they saw on a social network site.

Similar results were found in a recent survey from the Rasmussen Reports. According to the survey, 69 percent of adults were concerned about their privacy on Facebook, of which 31 percent were very concerned.